The CCP Campaign engages local governments to achieve measurable reductions in the emissions that cause air pollution and global warming. The Campaign provides a framework that enables local governments to integrate climate protection policies with actions that address immediate municipal concerns such as cost reduction, urban infrastructure improvements, pollution control, enhanced community livability, etc.

The CCP Campaign was established by ICLEI in 1993 at an international summit of municipal leaders held at the United Nations (UN) in New York. It grew out of ICLEI's Urban CO2 Reduction Project (1991-93), which brought together a select group of American, Canadian and European cities to develop a municipal planning framework for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. The experience of the Urban CO2 Reduction Project led to the development of a five-milestone framework and software product for municipal use.

Over the years CCP has engaged over 650 municipal governments worldwide to slow climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The CCP Campaign in India was initiated in August 2001 with seven municipal corporations. The CCP helped these governments to improve city management and address economic, environmental, and quality of life concerns, while reducing or avoiding air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Based on the success of Phase I of CCP in India, ICLEI invited more local authorities to participate in the CCP Campaign. About 35 cities showed interest in the CCP and nine were selected to participate in Phase II of CCP in India.

Through its various sectoral projects related to land use policies, infrastructure and other service provisions, transportation management systems, building codes, and waste management, the CCP Campaign helps local governments directly influence and control many of the activities that lead to global warming and air pollution. In India the Campaign also identifies no-cost or low-cost initiatives so that the city governments can save money immediately through energy efficiency activities and invest the savings in other developmental projects.

As part of the CCP Campaign ICLEI provides technical support to each city to achieve the five milestones including preparing emissions inventories, identifying emission reduction measures, fostering city-to-city exchanges of knowledge and experience through workshops and other training, and helping to broker funding for project implementation. ICLEI also strives to bring together corporate staff, elected officials, commercial institutions, industry, and other stakeholders to build the consensus necessary to implement the measures.